September 10^th, 2007

Dear Parent/Guardian,

          I hope you had a good summer and are excited to begin the school year.  I have enjoyed time with family and friends, and was also busy making plans for your child’s school year.  I am looking forward to providing a fun and challenging learning environment for our class.

            I would like to tell you a little about myself.  I currently live in the Malta area.  I celebrated my one year wedding anniversary on August 12^th.  I love reading and traveling.  This summer, I spent time with family and friends at Bethany Beach, Delaware and attended five weddings of friends and family.  I am a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo.  I have a degree in Elementary and Special education with a concentration in Spanish.  I earned my Master’s degree as a Literacy Specialist from the University of Albany.  This summer I spent time with other ELA teachers on our curriculum, subbed for summer school and worked on my house.

          I will be your child’s English Language Arts teacher.  This is my fourth year teaching ELA at Koda Middle School.  I look forward for the learning and growing to continue; my classroom will be a place where your child will feel comfortable and eager to participate in class discussions and activities.  In my class, we will be reading short stories, plays, non-fiction and poetry.  Your child will write a letter to me, journal entries, a persuasive essay, a personal narrative piece, a research paper and poetry.  We will also work on grammar and vocabulary.

          There will be assignments, writing pieces and reading that the students will be expected to complete at home too.  Some assignments are gone over together in class and some will be handed in.  Students will be given in-class writing and revising time, however, will also have to complete writing drafts at home.  There will not be an extensive amount of out of class work and studying, however, students will be expected to study their vocabulary – “Word of the Day” words every night.  We also expect students to have a free-reading book with them in school and to read at home.

          As a teacher, I will help my students receive the best education possible by recognizing and meeting their needs.  I will celebrate diversity and create a knowledge-rich environment that encourages students to become life-long learners.  I will create a classroom community where my students feel safe, respect one-another, and have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.  I will keep an open mind while collaborating with teachers and professionals and work to my highest ability so my students learn the strategies and have the personal character necessary for success.

          Your child will be studying other subjects besides English this year. J  It’s important that your child is using their Agenda book to keep track of assignments, quizzes, tests and projects.  You can also access some of this important information through our team and individual teacher websites.  The websites are located off www.shenet.org, click on Koda Middle School, scroll down, Team 6-1.  We encourage you to check them out!  As a team of teachers, we also recommend that you help your child set up a study time and place.

          I believe that communication is very important in parent-teacher relationships.  I will always be available to hear your ideas, suggestions, concerns, or questions.  To get in touch with me, you can send in a note, call 881-0470 ext. 52610 and leave a voice mail message or e-mail at smiterin@shenet.org.  I will be sure to return your message as soon as possible.

I am very excited and enthusiastic about making this a rewarding experience for you, your child, and myself.  Thank you for your support.

                                                                             Sincerely,

                                                                             Mrs. Erin Smith

This letter can be kept at home with other important Koda MS papers.

The next page should be signed stating that you read the letter,

and then returned by your child to Mrs. Smith in ELA class.  Thank you! J

Child’s Name ____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________________

E-mail (optional) _________________________________________________

Comments or Questions?

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